Konnichiwa All,
I just returned from three unbelievable fantastic weeks in Japan courtesy of
The Fulbright Memorial Fund teachers scholarship program. It was an
incredible all expenses paid dream-come-true. O.k., so I had to practically
sell my first born to be selected, but it is absolutely worth it! What I
mean is, I had to write a follow-on plan- what and how I will use the
experience of living the Japanese culture in my classroom. I, the
perfectionist overachiever, LOL, vowed to do art projects at every grade
level, and plan activities school-wide, state-wide, and nation-wide. (But, I
don't think you need to get so overboard.)

One "biggy" are the two identical murals that my 81 5th graders designed on
two 9ft.x 4ft. canvasses in acrylic paint. The theme is peace, and talk
about cooperative learning, 83 Japanese children in a school I visited in
southern Japan will soon be finishing both murals. I had mailed the painting
of which my students painted half before I left to the school I would be
visiting in Japan. I got to talk "face to face" to the Japanese teacher who
will facilitate his students in finishing the mural. Now that's what I call
real global communication!

Anyway, to uphold my end of the bargain, I will be presenting, Peace by
Piece; A Japan Connection, at our National Conference. I will share all my
lesson plans and ideas that got me this Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship,
including samples of student work (including the mural). My presentation
will be on Saturday 5:00-5:50.

This is a fabulous opportunity! You, too, can go by applying to FMF- it's on
the internet. Start thinking about applying for next year. Jeryl from SC on
this list was also selected and a bonus for me was becoming friends with
Jeryl. She is a very special, dynamic, fun person, and, she just got her
National Board Certification. Congratulations, Jeryl!!!!